What's a Welcoming Church (and how can I find one)?

Don't all churches try to be welcoming? Of course they do. But the local churches of the United Church of Christ that are listed in this posting have taken some intentional steps to ensure an inclusive welcome to all of God's people into the full life and ministry of our congregations. Some of us have done it through a formal vote to be "open and affirming (ONA), multi-cultural, and multi-racial churches, accessible to all." Others are on the journey, seeking to live into a world where all God's people are one. We invite you to visit us - check out our websites, visit our worship, email or phone us and ask us your questions. Here's a list of churches that promise to help your inquiring, questioning, doubting, new-to-the-community, or new-to-the-faith self enter into the full life and ministry of our fellowship.

Open and Affirming (ONA) Churches of the Penn Central Conference:
(These are congregations that have voted to welcome persons of all sexual orientations and identities into the full life and ministry of their congregations)

Disciples United Community Church, Lancaster, PA, Bruce and Kate Epperley, pastors
717-758-3913, http://www.ducc.us/, info@ducc.us

Grace United Church of Christ, 1947 New Holland Pike, Lancaster,
RachelHackenberg, pastor, 717-397-5305, http://www.gracechurchlancaster.org/,
graceucc@comcast.net

St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 626 Williams Grove Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA,
John Ward-Diorio, Pastor, 717-766-7931, http://www.stpaulsucc.org/, stpaulstaff@verizon.net

Trinity United Church of Christ, 450 West Main St., Mountville, PA, Nancy Dahlberg, Pastor,
717-285-5593, nldahlberg@hotmail.com

Emmanuel United Church of Christ, York, PA, Pat Mullen, Interim Pastor, 717-266-8007,
eucc_york@yahoo.com

New Churches intentionally forming as inclusive ONA congregations)

Journeys United Church of Christ, Harrisburg, PA, Monica Dawkins-Smith, pastor
www. journeysucc.org, pastor.monica.ucc@gmail.com

Soul Link Gathering, Mansfield, PA, Sharon Littrell, pastor, 570-723-1780, SoulLinkGathering@me.com

Churches living an inclusive vision, welcoming to all

St. John's United Church of Christ, 1050 Buffalo Road, Lewisburg, PA
PaulaGustafson, pastor, 570-524-7606, http://www.stjohnslewisburg.org/

Faith United Church of Christ, 300 E. College Ave., State College, PA, Diane Prosser, pastor,
814-237-3904, http://www.faithucc.info/, faithucc@comcast.net

Allen M. Fluent, Area Conference Minister
Penn Central Conference,
for Welcoming Churches in Central Pennsylvania